Label system for reusable containers and the like

ABSTRACT

A method of labeling reusable containers is disclosed. A placard having a release coating on one side is adhesively secured to the container. The placard is transparent with instructional printing applied to one surface. Pressure-sensitive labels are placed on the exposed surface of the placard. The labels contain indicia relating to the status of the container. When the status of the container changes, the label is removed and a new label is substituted on the placard.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/292,882, filed on Aug.19, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,790, issued May 23, 1995, which was acontinuation-in-part of then application Ser. No. 07/955,119, filed onOct. 1, 1992, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method of labeling reusablecontainers, and more particularly, a method which provides a reusablesurface for pressure-sensitive adhesive labels.

2. Description of Related Art

Reusable containers often require a labeling system to identify thecontents and status of each container. The label provides informationsuch as the origin and destination of the contents, batch number, partnumber, serial number, quantity, and description.

In one proposed labeling system, a transparent envelope is secured tothe container. A label is placed inside the envelope where it can beviewed. When the status of the container changes such as when itscontent is changed, a new label is substituted in the envelope. Oftentimes, bar codes are printed on the labels. A transparent envelope willsometimes interfere with proper scanning of the bar code. This isparticularly true where, after time, the transparent envelope becomesstained or dusty. Also, the transparent envelopes are sometimes bulkyand subject to tearing and catching on objects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a method of labeling usingpressure-sensitive adhesive-backed labels and a reusable placard forsupporting said labels.

Another object is to provide a method of labeling using anadhesive-backed placard having a disposable liner covering the adhesive.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises provision of aplacard having an adhesive coated inner face and a release coated outerface. In use the adhesive coated face of the placard is applied to asurface with the release coated surface outermost. The placard istransparent and includes printing on the inner face which is visible andreadable after the placard is applied to a surface to provideinstructional information such as "place label here". A label is appliedto the placard outer face such that a pressure sensitive adhesivebacking of the label is releasably attached to the release coatedsurface even if the label has a so called permanent adhesive backing.When desired the label is easily removed when desired and replaced withanother.

In the preferred embodiment the placard is provided with a disposableliner having a release coating on one face for covering the placard'sadhesive coating. The liner is removed prior to applying the placard.

Other object and advantages and a fuller understanding of the inventionwill be had from the following detailed description of a preferredembodiment and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a placard constructed in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view seen approximately from the planeindicated by lines 2--2 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a reusable container labeled inaccordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a multi-layer lamination 10 is shown. Thelamination 10 includes a placard 12 for supporting replaceableadhesive-backed pressure-sensitive labels 14 on reusable containers 16in the method of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the lamination 10 includes a disposable liner layer18 which is preferably paper. The liner is provided with a siliconerelease layer 20.

The placard 12 includes a layer of transparent polypropylene film 22.The film 22 is provided on one face with a silicone release coating 24and on the opposite face with a coating of adhesive 26. The oppositeface bears printing 27 which is readily observed and read when theplacard is in use to provide instructional information such as "placelabel here". The thickness of the printing 27 is exaggerated in FIG. 2for clarity of illustration. The adhesive coating 26 is in contact withthe release layer 20 prior to use. The liner 18 is easily removed,leaving the adhesive 26 exposed.

The lamination 10 is preferably assembled from commercially availableproducts. For example, transparent polypropylene film 22, having asilicone release coating 24 on one face is commercially available fromthe Mobil Chemical Corporation. A paper liner 18, having a releasecoating 20 and a layer of white modified acrylic adhesive 26 laminatedto one side, is commercially available from the 3M Corporation. Thenon-release coated side of the film 22 is laminated to theadhesive-coated surface of the 3M lamination 18, 20, 26 to produce themulti-layer lamination 10. Then, the lamination 10 is die-cut to removea marginal portion of the film 22 and the adhesive 26. Thus, as seen inFIG. 1, the liner 18 is larger than the placard 12 to facilitate itsremoval. The white adhesive 26 is visible through the transparent film22 to produce a highly visible placard 12 and a light background for theprinting 27.

The preferred method is one for labeling reusable containers 28. First,the release-coated liner 18 is removed from the lamination 10. Theplacard 12 is applied to a container 28 such that the adhesive 26secures the placard 12 firmly to the container 28 with the releasecoating 24 outermost and the printing 27 clearly visible. Then label 14,having an exposed adhesive layer, is applied to the placard 12 such thatthe label's adhesive contacts the release coating 24. The label carriesprinted indicia relating to the container and/or its contents. Whendesired, such as when the container is refilled, the label is removedand a new label 14 carrying new information is applied to the placard12.

The placard allows pressure-sensitive labels to be easily removed andreplaced as many times as necessary. The labels can be removed withoutripping or tearing. The labels are not covered by a plastic envelopewhich results in better bar code scanning. In addition, the containerstays free of label and adhesive build-up. Moreover, because of therelease coating 24 any commercially available label can be usedincluding those with inexpensive permanent pressure sensitive adhesivecoatings rather than more expensive removable coatings.

While a preferred embodiment of this invention has been described indetail, it will be apparent that certain modifications or alterationscan be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A process for providing identifying information as to thecontents of an object on such an object, the process comprising:a)substantially permanently affixing a placard to one such object with arelease coated surface of the placard oriented outwardly; b) providing afirst label bearing information related to a first set of objectcontents; c) applying the first label to the placard by securing apressure sensitive adhesive coating of the first label to the placardrelease coating; d) at a selected one of a time prior to and a timesubsequent to the first label applying step positioning a first contentsset in the object; e) removing the first contents set from the objectand replacing it with a second contents set; and, f) at a selected oneof a time prior to and subsequent to the first set removal step removingthe first label from the placard while leaving the placard affixed tothe object and applying to the release coated surface of the placard apressure sensitive surface of a second label bearing information relatedto contents of the second set.
 2. The process of claim 1 wherein thestep of removing the first label includes removing the pressuresensitive adhesive of the first label from the release coating.
 3. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein said placard is provided with adisposable liner having a release coating for covering the adhesivecoated surface of said placard prior to attachment of said placard tothe object.
 4. A method of labeling and relabeling an object withreplaceable pressure-sensitive adhesive-backed labels comprising:a)providing a plurality of pressure sensitive adhesive coated labelshaving indicia printed thereon; b) providing a placard having anadhesive coated surface and a release coated surface; c) substantiallypermanently affixing the placard to the object by applying the adhesivecoated surface of said placard to a surface of the object with therelease coated surface oriented outward; d) applying a first label tothe placard by securing the pressure sensitive adhesive coating of thefirst label to the placard release coated surface; e) at a selected oneof a time prior to and subsequent to the first label applying step,positioning a first contents set in the object; f) removing the firstcontents set from the object and replacing it with a second contentsset; and g) at a selected one of a time prior to and subsequent to thefirst set removal step, removing the first label by separating thepressure sensitive adhesive coating of the first label from the releasecoated surface of the placard while leaving the placard fully attachedto the object and applying to the release coated surface of the placarda pressure sensitive adhesive coating of a second label having indiciarelated to the contents of the second set.
 5. The method according toclaim 4, wherein said placard is provided with a disposable liner havinga release coating for covering the adhesive coated surface of saidplacard prior to attachment of said placard to the object.